Morrisons staff in line for pay rise above Living Wage

Supermarket workers are set to get a pay rise above the Living Wage after union officials negotiated increases of more than £2 per hour.

The deal between Usdaw and Morrisons would take the basic rate of pay from £6.83 to £8.20 for 90,000 Morrisons workers.

The deal is now subject to a ballot of members, with the union recommending acceptance.

Staff are being briefed about the details today and, subject to a positive ballot result on 12 November, the new rate will be paid from March 2016.

Joanne McGuinness, Usdaw national officer, said: “For some time we have been talking to the company about taking retail staff up to and beyond the Living Wage Foundation rate, currently set at £7.85 an hour.

“So I am delighted that we have agreed a rise that takes staff way past that to £8.20.

“The new consolidated hourly rate is now the highest of the big four supermarkets, which is paid every hour not just when staff work at times that attract premium pay. It is a big step forward, shows that the company are prepared to invest in the staff to help grow the business and I hope that the deal is supported by our members in the ballot.”

The pay deal comes after the chain announced it was planning to close 11 stores and sell off it Morrisons Local shops. Hundreds of jobs are set to go as a result.